Allegiant: The Happily Ever After

TRIS

       I lean on the wall next to Caleb and watch from the window as trucks roll up the road to the compound, people singing and cheering. I see Zeke in the back of one, and Christina beside him.  Smiling, I turn to my brother and hug him tightly, my happy tears filling my eyes.  “It’s finally over. Its done now!” I say, almost unable to believe what I see. “We’re free.”

      “Yeah,” Is Caleb’s reply as he wipes his eyes quickly with the back of his hand.

      “Are you crying?”

       “No, I’m just...”

       “Leaking?”

       “Oh, be quiet. There was just something in my eye,” He says, ducking his head. I reach up to ruffle his hair playfully, but he dodges my attack.  I look back at Matthew, and his grin is practically splitting his face in two.

       “We should probably go down. Tell the group we survived as well.” Matthew says, still smiling.

      “Yeah, but um,... could you, uh...,” I mumble a little, embarrassed that I need help. I half raise my arms. “Could you help me?”

      “Oh, of course. Here, just put your arm around my shoulders and I- yep, thats good.” His arm around my waist supports me as I wind my arm around his neck,  making me feel more secure. We make our way slowly down the dormitory stairs, my bandages wrapped so tightly around me it makes my movements stiff. Caleb treads softly behind us, bringing up the rear of our little procession. We reach the end of the treacherous stairs and move down the hallway. Halfway down, I hear distant voices coming from the atrium. We walk that direction, and the voices grow louder. I can hear Cara distinctly, and the voice of another special someone yelling. My own Tobias, arguing as usual. I hear my name used a few times as well.

      “ I’m sorry Tobias, I don't think she didn't made it,” I hear Cara say somberly. A loud cry comes from the room, and sobbing follows. Finally, we make it to the end of the hallway, and I turn through the door and lean against the doorframe, releasing Matthew. The security checkpoint is occupied by only a few people, and I can see more outside the glass doors. Amar, Tobias, and Christina stand beside each other, with Cara looking at them sympathetically. Christina is sobbing as if her heart would break. Amar has his hand on Tobias’s shoulder, and I see his mouthing my name. Tris.  His eyes are staring at the ground, blue but blank.

        I look at him and smile. “Gossiping about me behind my back guys? I thought we were past this. Ouch.”

        They all whip their heads around to look at me. Looking stunned, Tobias say tentatively, “Tris?”

       This unleashes something in me. I start hobbling towards him and he runs to me. We meet in the middle, and he wraps his strong arms around me, his hands braided into my hair.  I lay my head against his chest and his  face is buried in the crook of my neck. I hear him whispering my name . “I’m here,” I say, and he exhales on my neck, his cool breath sending shivers down my spine.

       “I thought I lost you. I- I thought....,” He struggles for words. for a moment. “I was  terrified.”

      I shush him gently and stroke his cheek with my palm. He catches my hand and holds it there, the warmth of his skin seeping into my  palm. “You will never lose me,” I whisper to him, and then I add, “Well , you might. I still can't  seem to find my way around this place. I get lost a lot.”

      He rolls his eyes, but the are soft. “I love you. More than you know.”

      “I love you too.”

       He cups my face in his hands and brings his lips to mine. The gentle movement of our lips is mesmerizing, making me feel dizzy, and grounded at the sametime. The taste of Tobias is so pleasantly sweet, its the most wonderful taste in the world. His hand untangle  themselves from my hair and smooth down my back holding my bandaged waist with care, but his grip still firm. My own ars are draped around his neck, my fingers playing with his dark hair. I can hear Christina sniggering.

      “Can the PDA wait? We have more important things to do rather than watch you guys make out.” Christina says, smirking.

      I turn my head and glare at her. Them with exaggerated slowness, iI turn back to Tobias and kiss him again. “Ignore her?”

       “Ignore her.”

        I smile against his mouth, and he chuckles. Holding my face more securely to his, he crushes his lips down on mine.  His arms tighten around me, and I know , deep in my heart.,

                      that I am home.